hiiiiiiiii I've been working on this for like a week and a half so i'm glad I could finally finish it! It's thanksgiving break so I hope to get at least one other chapter of something done
of which I will not let you decide because it'll probs be a random one-shot...:P
I edited the first chapter bc I had a phase when I overused 'ya' and...let's just forget that ever happened LOL
Lucy sighed as she leaned against her desk, frowning as the teacher continued to draw on with their lesson.
It had been a few weeks since she found small parts of the day slipping away. It was maybe only an hour or two every other week, but she still found it alarming. Otherwise, why would something like this happen without reason?
Natsu comforted her throughout this ordeal, his hand always gentle on her back. She was glad to have her friends there for her, but the more this happened, the closer she got to calling Aquarius.
Aquarius was part of the board that ran her father's company in her stead, and had been around for Lucy since she was little. They were a group of people that had been close with her family since she was born, and essentially her extended family. They cared for her after her parents passed, though Lucy never liked to be a burden when she could avoid it. So if the matter wasn't serious, she took care of it alone.
"Do you think I should go to the hospital?" Lucy asked Natsu as they sat in her room, eating from the tray of snacks she brought in.
"Do you think you should go to the hospital?" He let out an airy laugh as she smacked his arm, a pout forming on her lips.
"Natsu, come on, I'm being serious! It's not normal, whatever's happening. I think I need to get a check-up."
"I mean, I'm always around when you fall asleep and nothing bad happens. Maybe call Aquarius first? It could be a sign of your powers acting up, you know? Something that's tryna come out but it can't, so you end up exhausted and without any answers." He shrugged, Lucy sighing as she dropped her head against the desk.
"If Aquarius finds out I was keeping this from her, she'll flip. There would definitely be hell to pay." She mumbled and grabbed a strawberry to nibble on.
"I'd take all that waterboarding for ya, don't worry. I think she'd be more worried than anything, but that's a good thing, Luce. It means she cares. And all those dopey stars do, you're family."
"Yeah…" Lucy jutted out her bottom lip to pout. Natsu offered a comforting smile, lowering his head against the table along with her. "I know you're right, I just don't want them to have to worry. Maybe it's nothing, you know? I don't feel any worse for the wear; if anything I think the naps are helping me think more clearly."
"Oh, yeah?" He felt a slight blush rise along his features. "You think so?"
"I feel a lot better compared to my usual self too," She hummed. "Do you remember that morning when I got sick? I feel like ever since then I've felt different."
"A good different?" He asked, pushing a carrot stick between his lips.
"I think so," She nodded slightly. "But it's still worrying that I don't know why it's happening."
Natsu felt guilt twinge in his heart; he could tell her now if he wanted to. But it would hurt her more than help, but the truth had to surface at some point.
~000~
Lucy hesitated to make the phone call later that night, wanting to opt-out and choose Capricorn or Loke instead, but she knew that would only make things worse.
Aquarius insisted that she be the first contact if there were ever an emergency, even if she behaved standoffishly most of the time.
She took in a deep breath and dialed her number, turning on the speaker phone to save her eardrum from sustaining any damage.
"Lucy? What's wrong?" Her immediate interrogation made Lucy laugh a bit, of course, Aquarius was going to skip over a normal hello.
"How do you know something's wrong?" She smiled warmly as she heard her adoptive mother sigh on the other end.
"I know you'd only call if it were important, so, what's wrong?" Lucy hugged a pillow close to her chest, her anxiety rising slightly. "Should I be worried? Do you want me to come see you?"
"N-No, I don't think it's that serious," Lucy shook her head for no one in particular. "I've been having some problems with sleep recently. I keep passing out at random times during the day and I'm not sure why,"
"Passing out?" There was a measured incline in her voice. "You've been passing out and you're only just calling me?"
"Because I don't feel bad or anything! Natsu says he's always with me when it happens; if anything, I feel better than before when I wake up. I think my powers might be coming in, but I'm not really sure. I didn't want to worry you,"
"You idiot," Lucy stifled a laugh, imagining Aquarius' classic eye roll and grimace. "I'm allowed to be worried about you, Lucy, even if you think it's tiny and dumb. I want to come see you if you're passing out without reason. Okay? I'll schedule an appointment with your doctor and see her together. I can be there next weekend, how does that sound?"
Lucy snuggled into her bed with a smothered smile before she answered. "Yeah, sounds good."
"I'll see you soon, goodnight, Lucy."
"Goodnight, Aquarius."
Lucy felt a tear roll down her cheek as she hung up, not realizing just how much she had missed her adoptive family. Aquarius could be rough, but she knew how well she was loved. And right now, she really wanted to hug her.
Lucy sniffled and dialed another number on her phone, pulling her blanket warmly around her.
"Luce? It's late," Natsu's voice was slightly groggy, her heart subtly fluttering as she heard him shuffle around, probably getting out of bed and putting some clothes on. "You alright? Do you feel sick?"
"No," She smiled, shaking her head again for no one but herself. "But can you come over? I don't want to sleep alone tonight."
"Yeah, I'll be right there," Lucy reached for the window beside her bed, undoing the latch as she laid down with a yawn.
"The window's open for you,"
~000~
Lucy felt like she had fallen asleep for a moment, though all she meant to do was close her eyes and wait comfortably for Natsu to fly in.
She smiled, hearing the quiet creak of the window opening, her eyes opening as Natsu's hand cupped her cheek. His touch felt like it melted comfortably into her skin and she wanted to feel more.
"Hey," His smile always made her feel better, Lucy instinctively reached out for him. "You really okay?"
"Yeah," She sighed, breathing in his scent as he hugged her back. "Thank you for coming. I got off the phone with Aquarius a little while ago, she's coming to take me to the doctor's next weekend."
"Oh, that's good to hear," He said, snuggling up underneath the blanket. "I hope you'll figure out what's going on, then."
"Mhm…" Lucy nuzzled herself into his side, her cheek flush against Natsu's chest. She was comfortable for a second, and then found herself somewhat agitated by his shirt.
"Can you take off your shirt?" She asked, pouting as she tugged it UPWARDS.
Natsu quirked a brow and studied her for a moment before complying, tossing the garment somewhere on the floor.
"Any reason why?" He asked, chuckling as Lucy shook her head and cozied up to him further.
"Your skin is just so warm," She moaned delightfully, feeling goosebumps rise along the curve of her spine. "I love it."
"I'm glad I can keep you warm then," He mumbled into her hair, the two falling asleep comfortably.
Lucy felt herself stir, her body waking with the sun as it streamed into her room. Natsu's arm kept her comfortably close to him, her nose drawing in his delightful scent.
She rubbed her nose into the space between his pecs, giggling as he rolled over in his sleep. He took her along with him, Lucy laying on his chest as he faced the ceiling before his head lolled to the side with a snore.
"Since when did you smell so good?" Lucy moaned, licking her lips as her mouth began to water. She looked down at his chest, fighting the urge to take a bite.
She sat back, lifting herself to sit on his hips, letting out an excited gasp as he poked her from behind. She slid back on the pitched tent, teeth sinking into her bottom lip at the sensation.
Lucy repeated the motion, letting out slight moans and excited gasps as she felt Natsu grow between her legs.
"Should I take off our pants? I want to feel how hot you are,"
But something inside her told her she already knew how hot he was, his skin enough to heat her towards boiling on the best of days.
"Luce…" His gruff voice made her grind her hips into him, her excitement growing. "Luce…what are you…what are you…"
"It just feels so good," Lucy crooned as she felt his hips respond to hers, Natsu slowly opening his eyes. "Don't you feel good?"
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, letting out quiet groans as she continued to move her hips back and forth. It took him another moment before he seemed slightly more lucid, his vision focusing on her form. He rose onto his elbows and stared at her, feeling a slight panic rise in his chest. "...Is that you?"
"What are you talking about?" She giggled, rolling her hips again to make him groan. "Of course it's me, Natsu. Who else would it be?"
"It's just…" His grogginess wore off in an instant as he sat up, stopping Lucy's ministrations for a moment. "...your eyes aren't purple."
"Have they ever been?" She hummed, moving his hands that rested on her hips upward. "Don't stop me now, Natsu, we were just about to get to the good part."
"Lucy," Natsu shook his head, ignoring her purposeful seduction tactics. "I need you to be serious for a second, really,"
"Just do what you normally do," She whined, pouting as he stared intently at her, as if looking for something he was missing.
"And what do I usually do?" He pursed his lips, flinching as Lucy let her fingers stroke the hidden curve of his member.
"Mm, lots of things," His cheeks flushed as she slipped her hand into the waistband of his sweats. "Hot, sexy, delicious things."
"Can you tell me if you remember what we did a couple days ago?" He asked, trying his best to ignore the firming grip around his cock. "Please,"
She leaned into him playfully, enjoying the sight of Natsu's teeth subtly gnashing together. She picked up the teasingly unhurried pace of her hand, pressing her lips into the nape of his neck. His sweat tasted so sweet on her tongue, even better when his head began to loll.
"We were in my bedroom, weren't we? You were sitting on my bed, and I was…well, aren't I always there? You always taste the best in the middle of the day, when the sun is just setting and washes your skin."
He felt himself throb under her thumb, Lucy's dizzying touch trailing up along the curve of his ear. His next question fell numbly from his mouth, the aroused scent of his best friend beginning to sting under his nose.
"You burn going down my throat… it's such a nice feeling, so filling…" His fingers flexed into the sheets, Lucy's other hand pulling the rest of his pants down.
Staring between them, she licked her lips, Natsu's eyes failing to stay open the harder she pumped.
"Cum Natsu," She felt her stomach tighten as he flexed his jaw, his breath growing more and more rapid. "Oh, please, I can't wait any longer."
"Just…" He groaned out the word, trying to focus himself for a second. "...can you tell me if you hear her? Your other half?"
"What other half?"
~000~
Lucy woke up with a start, feeling her heart almost leap out of her chest. She sat up from her mess of blankets, the warmth and Natsu long retreated from her bed. Her skin buzzed with the faint memory of something…something so unbelievable that forced itself to die on the tip of her tongue. Her mouth felt strange, her fingertips felt foreign as they traced herself. She choked on her hot breath, feeling numb yet so…so alive that it could only confuse her.
She tightened in on herself, feeling too incredibly anxious when Natsu swung the door open. Half of her wanted to run right into his arms, while the other wanted to cry for forgetting. Forgetting what, she had no idea.
His smile was half worried and careful, like he knew just what made her feel so aware.
"Heya, Luce. You're finally awake. I went to go get my uniform, I made some breakfast too. You seemed like you needed to sleep in."
"Yeah…I think I did," She nodded slowly, her eyes feeling heavy as they blinked and stared. "Natsu…did something happen last night? I remember asking you to come over, but…"
"You fell asleep pretty fast, we didn't talk much or anything," He shrugged, leaning against the doorframe. "Why?"
"Oh, um," She laughed a bit, finding comfort in his gaze. "No, it's nothing. I just feel like I forgot something."
"Sure, weirdo," He scoffed, playfully rolling his eyes. "Now, come on, before breakfast gets cold. I got croissants from that bakery Erza likes."
~000~
Lucy felt trapped halfway in between anxiety and excitement. Natsu's presence made her want to cling to him and ask that gnawing question at the back of her mind. It knew something was off, something was different. Something made him smell so damn good that Lucy just wanted to…what did she want to do?
They used to hold hands when they walked to school, mostly in elementary school before Lucy found it a little embarrassing. After that, it became much more natural for Natsu to swing his arm around her shoulders and keep her close. Lucy felt like holding his hand again, maybe to remind her how Natsu had always been beside her.
He smiled at her with that same smile that made her heart feel funny. His touch felt funny, his gaze felt funny. He was right next to her but still too far away, as if their shoulders weren't bumping together.
She almost wanted to crawl into his lap and beg him to hold her and quell this overwhelming feeling that should have scared her.
The voices of her friends and teachers felt distant today, no one thinking twice about why she was clinging to Natsu today. She was so unfocused-ly focused; nothing else mattered today besides Natsu.
Lucy blinked halfway through lunch and found herself unable to resist following the pink trail of scent that circled her best friend. They were walking behind the rest of the group, everyone on their way back to the classroom after standing in line to get yakisoba sandwiches.
She tugged on his hand to stop him, Natsu raising an eyebrow at the action. She slipped her arm around his shoulders and leaned into his ear, her lips brushing against his skin.
"I want to be alone with you, Natsu,"
She felt warm as she watched Natsu hand their food to Gray, the pink-haired boy giving some half-assed explanation that they were going to run back to the cafeteria real quick.
Gray gave them a weird look but shrugged his shoulders and rejoined the others already close to the end of the hall.
Lucy felt herself buzz with anticipation as Natsu walked ahead of her, his hand around her wrist, the touch gentle with anticipation.
She felt like she knew this quiet edge of the school, this storage closet he pulled her into. Her back was against the door when Natsu found her lips, Lucy melting against the familiar stroke of his tongue.
Why hadn't she kissed him sooner? Why didn't she take him right there in the hallway, so everyone could know that he was hers and no one else's.
She mewled into his rough touch, her nails wanting to shred through his uniform, to feel his skin and those gorgeous scales of his.
Lucy bit his lip when Natsu lifted her up, his rough growl music to her ears. She felt him push against her panties, the fervent feeling of their kiss missing just a little…
"How hungry are you?" He asked, his breath heavy against her nape, his teeth gently nipping into her skin. She wanted to tell him to sink into her, to poison the surface of his tongue with her blood. To fall deeper under her spell. But, instinctively, she knew it wasn't the right time for him to leave marks.
"Mmn," She shook her head, trying to find his eyes in the dark, knowing he knew exactly where her own were. "Not very, I just wanted you to hold me."
Natsu spoke with gentleness when he returned to her lips, his kiss soothing and indulgent, morphing into decadent when he slipped in his tongue.
His kisses tasted the best, she decided. The smoke and flames she knew settled at the back of his throat created a soothing tang that riddled her with lust. It made her toes curl with his flavor, and she knew how much he liked kissing her. She almost wanted to ask that question, but again, she knew it wasn't the right time.
He turned them around, his tip still swollen and pushing against her soaked panties. There was a desk against the opposite wall, one she recalled sitting on before. Natsu put her down and spread her legs as he kneeled, just for her.
Her hand settled familiarly into his soft hair, pulling him forward as if he wasn't already leaning in. She wished there was a light to see the smoldering look in his eye. Her tongue dragged against her bottom lip as she felt him pull down her panties. She never felt more in control of a raging fire than in moments like these.
~000~
Somehow it happened again, where it felt like she was waking up, forgetting something so incredibly important. But the memory fell off the tip of her tongue in silence, the teacher's voice finally reaching her ears.
Natsu sat in front of her like usual, his head lolling before snapping back up, repeating the same motion four or five times. It was the last class of the day, and definitely the most exhausting one.
She shifted in her seat, feeling a bit cold, like she should have worn some taller socks.
When the bell rang, she knew she wanted to go straight home, almost anxiously begging Natsu to take off with her, right there from the edge of the windowsill.
The others went to help Erza get her daily slice of strawberry cake, pretending they weren't there to see the cute baker boy behind the counter.
She felt that antsy feeling rise like bile in her throat, Lucy doing her homework from the warmth of Natsu's lap. He didn't mind, of course, anything for her. He said those words comfortably into her ear, Lucy wanting to ask him to nuzzle against it.
"You don't mind staying the night again, do you?" Lucy asked as Natsu helped her put away the dishes after dinner, the dragon drying everything quickly with his breath.
"'Course not," He smiled, just for her, Lucy feeling the urge to cling to him again. "But, are you sure nothin's wrong with you? You can tell me anything, you know? I feel like something's been off all day,"
"Nothing really," He noticed the wavering smile she held while facing the sink. "Maybe I'm just worried about the doctor's appointment."
"I'm sure everything will be okay," Natsu turned her around without hesitation, soaking up the hug she needed to give him. "And I'll stay for as long as ya need me to. I don't mind if you feel like you need to be spoiled."
She blushed as he cheek pressed against his chest, spoiled? If she really thought about it, Natsu was always spoiling her. He was there whenever she called. He would cook or clean if she were too tired to. He would stay over and keep her warm, no questions asked. Even if she were away in Hargeon visiting Aquarius, he would sneak into her room late at night with a big grin and the snacks she was craving.
Lucy didn't protest when she sat on the floor, Natsu on her bed, his heated breath fanning over her hair as he brushed it out. She closed her eyes, nearly falling asleep at the gentle motion.
She ended up passing out against his knee, her quiet snoring making Natsu snicker. He lifted her up carefully, settling her in the flurry of pillows that amassed her bed. He left her without a blanket on, a bit of an impish ploy to get her to cling to him more while they slept.
He took his time in the shower to think through their day, a little disappointed that Lucy didn't seem to remember anything that happened. He was hoping that since her eyes were no longer purple, she could just break through on her own, but…
She didn't know about her other half either, practically erasing the few conversations they had trying to figure things out.
Maybe her subconscious did, at least enough to make her suddenly so needy. Not that Natsu minded, Lucy owed it to herself to be childish at times and rely on him a little more.
There were a couple of days until the weekend until she'd hopefully have her answer. Natsu really couldn't say anything until she knew it for herself. He swallowed his guilt and bitterly hoped she wouldn't turn her back on him once she found out.
He returned to her bed, dressed and simmering, ready to warm Lucy up. As soon as Natsu laid down, nudgeing against her, did Lucy reach out in her sleep, whining to be held. He wrapped his arms around her carefully, breathing in her sugared scent from the crown of her head.
"I'm right here, Luce. It's okay,"
~000~
Aquarius came in a cab, and Lucy met her on the curb beside her apartment. She usually wore something business casual, giving off the air of a proper CEO wherever she went.
Aquarius was too embarrassed to tell the truth, that she actually liked it when Lucy ran into her with an energetic embrace. She pretended to roll her eyes, gently patting Lucy on the head, watching her eagerly rub her cheek against her before finally giving in.
Her hugs were a different kind of warm, motherly and caring, with a tinge of 'it's been too long'.
"You know I don't like to budget you, but do you really eat all this food you buy?" Her mother asked, peering suspiciously into the fridge.
"I have my friends over for dinner sometimes," She shrugged, knowing what Aquarius was really getting at. "But I cook for Natsu most of the time,"
"That idiot," She grumbled, taking out a carton of juice. "He's not here more often than he should be, is he?"
"Not really," Lucy shook her head, hiding her smile as Aquarius glared. "But we're always together, it would be weirder if he wasn't here."
"I guess," She huffed, never really liking the instant connection those two had when they were kids.
They met one day, when Aquarius was walking Lucy around the park, getting her used to their new home in Magnolia. It was a bit louder than Acalypha, more kids her own age running around.
Lucy was timid and curious, Aquarius unsure of how to help Lucy find the confidence to go out and run with the other kids. All she could think of was to tell her not to mention 'Gonzales", the name of her doll too embarrassing to mention to others.
She ushered Lucy to take two steps into the large playground, the bitty blonde taking hesitant steps, her eyes welling with tears. Aquarius knew she would run back and wrap herself tightly around her leg, if not for the pink-haired boy who seemed to come out of nowhere.
His voice made her flinch, Lucy staring at his wide smile hesitantly as he asked her if she wanted to play.
Her? He wanted to play with her?
There wasn't anyone else around, was there? Of course he wanted to play with her!
As happy as Aquarius was, watching Lucy come out of her shell as Natsu introduced her to just about everyone on the playground, she wanted to crush him like a bug. He was the first person to take Lucy away from her.
And her grudge would never fade.
Instead of getting a hotel, Aquarius rolled out a futon. They slept on Lucy's floor, the two carefully talking about anything that had been worrying Lucy.
She decidedly left the anxiety she was feeling all week out of the picture; the anxiety was one thing, but Natsu was another. She'd end up letting something slip, about dinner or bed, or the succession of times she let her eyes watch carefully as Natsu approached her bed fresh from the shower.
They spent the next day going shopping, having lunch, and enjoying the nostalgic scenery of Lucy's childhood.
Aquarius bought her groceries, little trinkets, outfits she thought weren't too modest but modest enough. Lucy unplugged from her phone and spent the day hoping she wouldn't forget even a second of this day. It had been too long since she spent any real time with Aquarius.
It was enough to make her forget about the daunting atmosphere of the next day. Her appointment wasn't too early or too late, just enough time to wallow in fear and settle with the results.
If it wasn't her powers, it could be serious. Some sort of sickness that made her lose time…she was too young to have a memory disease.
Aquarius made breakfast, stuffing Lucy with sweet and powdered french toast to keep her spirits high.
They sat and watched a couple movies, waiting patiently until it was finally time to leave for the hospital.
"You're more nervous than I thought you'd be." Her mother snorted, Lucy sitting stiffly in the waiting room. She threw a weak glare at her, Lucy's thumbs pressing together anxiously.
"I'm either dying or exploding with a magic neither of us know about, wouldn't it be weird if I weren't worried?" Lucy bit out, sticking out her tongue as Aquarius laughed more.
"Oh hush, I know you're just fine. All they're going to do is draw your blood and tell you the exact same thing. Only difference from now on is that I'll finally have a normal daughter, hm? I'll have to start telling people that you're not actually my pet poodle."
"P—" Lucy gasped, her jaw hanging, the rest of the word drowned out by the nurse calling her name from an opposite hallway.
"Lucy Heartfilia?"
Aquarius got up to follow her, smacking her back gently to shake the nerves from her step.
They were led to an exam room, the nurse holding open the door for them to walk in first. Lucy sat on the dismaying leather bench, Aquarius taking a seat in the corner.
The nurse sat at her computer, asking the usual questions, if there was any updating that her chart needed. It wasn't long before her arm was stuck with a needle, Lucy watched the slow slink of her blood moving through the thin plastic tube.
They'd have a result for her in a couple of hours, so back to the waiting room it was.
Aquarius stepped out for a moment to answer a phone call, Lucy scrolling through her phone to answer some missed texts.
Erza and Levy were going back and forth in their group chat, teasing each other with the fact that they couldn't confess to the person they liked. Juvia slipped in between every other text to gush about Gray agreeing to go out with her to the farmers market. And then they ganged up on Lucy, finally confronting her about the oddity of her constantly wrapped around Natsu's arm. She was the worst when it came to lying, so she sent them a shrugging emoticon.
Lucy smiled and let out a small laugh as they implored her to confess what everyone had already known for years.
Natsu also texted her, asking how she wasn't letting her know he had to visit his grandmother suddenly. It was a quick trip there and back if he flew. Still, Porlyusica could nag him for a good while, shoving ailments and potions down his throat for whatever reason she decided.
'Bring me back that one facemask she makes out of honey.'
'I tell you that I'm about to be tortured for at least five hours and that's all you have to say?'
'It's a really good facemask, Natsu'
She sent the same shrugging emoticon, laughing as he sent her a blurry photo of his grandma pushing a thin test tube to his lips.
Aquarius walked back in with a familiar frown, Lucy knowing that it was a telltale sign of her having to leave early.
"Work emergency?" Lucy asked, already knowing the answer.
"Freakin' Capricorn just had to lose an important client file. I have to go back and sort things out before a meeting tomorrow."
"I have to take the next train back, it'll be here in an hour. I've got to go back and pack. Will you be alright by yourself?"
"I'm not a baby anymore," Lucy hummed, not minding it when Aquarius wrapped her jacket around her shoulders. "I'll be fine."
"You call me as soon as you get the news, I don't need you keeping everything to yourself."
"Yeah, I'll call you," She smiled warmly as a kiss was pressed to her forehead. "Have a safe trip back."
The next two hours were filled with silent anxiety. Lucy tried to distract herself with random videos and half-interesting cellphone games.
Natsu texted her more photos, his chin dripping with a strange purple liquid at one point. In another, she managed to force him into acupuncture, saying that his 'routes' were blocked up. It had something to do with his magic, she said, it needed more freedom.
Lucy stifled her laugh, knowing that if he'd had his way, he'd spew it playfully wherever he went. Erza beat him out of that habit when they were younger, so maybe he could learn to be a little more carefree at times.
A doctor came out this time, when it was time to go over her blood test results.
Lucy calmed herself with a few deep breaths, the tips of her fingers twitching as the doctor gave her a sympathetic smile.
"Well, let's get the best news out of the way first!" The doctor clasped her hands together, pushing up the thin-rimmed glasses that inched closer to the tip of her nose. "You're healthy as far as I can tell, no vitamin deficiencies, nothing alarming in your general blood work."
"Which can be pretty much explained by your, um, genetic disposition."
She continued, first handing Lucy a piece of paper with her test results. It read the answer she had been looking for in big bright, red letters.
"You're actually pretty rare! Have you ever heard of a succubus before?"
Lucy took a moment to breathe, her doctor waiting patiently, the red bow in her purple hair bouncing slightly. Her thoughts fell mute as she shook her head.
"Not really, no." Which was true and made her feel a bit odd. If Lucy really tried to think about it, she rarely ever came across the term.
"It's something that doesn't manifest for a girl until she's a certain age, so, seventeen or eighteen. Which explains why you've been such a late bloomer, and your test results came back as inconclusive when you were younger."
"I can't say that there are many succubus families left in Fiore, it's a rare attribute to have these days."
"Why might that be?" Lucy's words tumbled out of her mouth faster than she had intended. "I-I mean, um, my parents…passed before they could tell me anything. Does this mean my mom was a succubus as well?"
"More than likely," She nodded, Lucy feeling her heart begin to pound. "It's a very strong gene when passed between women, so it probably took hold of you before your father's could."
"What concerns me is that your health is practically perfect," The doctor slowed her words, offering Lucy a sympathetic gaze. "This might be a little frightening to hear, but I hope you can bear with me, Lucy."
"You can tell me," She nodded, wishing now that Aquarius was here to hold her hand. The doctor cleared her throat before continuing.
"For you, Lucy, it's important that you eat, but a succubus doesn't absorb nutrients the same way everyone else does."
"It's a good sign if you can eat food normally, but it's not as important as you being sexually active."
"For a succubus, it's the only way for you to really function at this point. I have to assume that if you've been blacking out and your results are just fine, it's that your body's been active without you."
"But then…" Lucy felt her head begin to spin. "Wouldn't my mom…she died because she had a weak constitution… wouldn't she have been okay?"
"…If she was eating?"
"Unfortunately," The doctor comforted Lucy with a hand on her shoulder. "If your mother wasn't eating properly—"
"But…! If that was all…! If that was all she needed…then why…?" She felt like her stomach was about to turn, that she wanted to shrink in on herself.
"There's limited research, but enough where I might be able to assume that your father might have been a bad match for her,"
"It's important that when you're hungry, obviously, you eat. But if the source of energy you're eating from isn't strong enough, it could be dangerous. They wouldn't be strong enough to keep up with you and you wouldn't be getting enough energy from them."
"I understand," Lucy felt like frowning, her words spilling out like thick molasses. Was the room spinning just a little too much? "So…if I've been active…?"
"Has there been anyone you were with at these times? Maybe they were watching over you?"
Lucy nodded, "He's a dragon, he always watches over me when I blank out."
"Oh! Well, a dragon would be a perfect match! I'm sure you…"
The rest of the conversation dwindled off from there, Lucy not really wanting to pay attention anymore. Rather, she wanted to cry and run out of that room right now to call Natsu. This was too much for her to be learning on her own.
The doctor finally excused her with all of the information she might need, the blonde walking herself back toward the front entrance.
What was she supposed to do now? Her world was flipped over in a mere, what was it, seven minutes? How was she supposed to walk back out there, all alone, with these answers she didn't want anymore?
~000~
Natsu rolled his shoulders as he sat on the edge of his grandmother's acupuncture table, finally rid of all the needles in his back.
"Geez, that took forever," He grumbled, wincing as she began to spread a cold salve on his back.
"Only took forever because you wouldn't stop moving around," She grumbled back, her fingers spreading a thick green paste between Natsu's shoulder blades. "You need to sit for thirty minutes."
"Are you serious? Why?" He whined, kicking his feet as Porlyscuia handed back his phone.
"Because," She drew out the word dramatically, thumping him on the forehead. "Like I said, your fire wasn't flowing correctly. You've been keeping secrets recently,"
"I don't see what that has to do with anything," He pouted, turning himself away from her knowing look.
"Hasn't your mother taught you anything? While you may be a fire dragon, you still have a little sky dragon in you somewhere. Your father taught you strength, while your mother taught you peace. If your mind endures too much strain, you'll become all blocked up, dumbass."
"And imprint on that short-skirtin' blonde already," Natsu sputtered, throwing her a haphazard glare. "Oh, don't give me that look. You do know that dragons have a better sense of smell than anyone else, right?"
"If your parents haven't said anything, it's probably because my idiot daughter thinks you need your space. Which is why you're such an idiot for running yourself and her in circles like this,"
"Doesn't that make you an idiot too?" Natsu hummed smugly, hissing when she thumped him on the forehead again.
"Grandine got that from her father! Just sit still and wait for the salve to absorb into your skin. Then you're free to go."
Natsu sighed as his grandmother walked away from him, the light sound of glass clinking together coming from another room.
He looked out the window and sighed as the sun was halfway set, his day successfully shot, as he expected. He couldn't be too mad, his grandmother always meant well. He was lucky to have someone who wanted to take the time to improve his health.
Natsu opened his phone, slightly disappointed to see that Lucy didn't answer his last text message. Her appointment should have been over an hour or so ago, so he was expecting something, anything. There was no way she didn't figure out what was going on by now, and he was expecting her adverse reaction. He could only answer for what he did once he got back home. That and he didn't even want to think about what Aquarius would do to him when she found out.
The salve seemed to take an extra twenty minutes to soak into his skin, Natsu's anxiety growing the darker it got and the longer Lucy was taking to get back to him.
'I'm on my way home, you mind if I stop by?'
He texted her as he waited by the front door, Porlyusica packing up a few things for him to take home, including the face mask Lucy had asked for. Plus a couple of things for Erza, Levy, and Juvia; as well as Gajeel who would never admit to using her high quality hair oil on himself.
"Think about what I said, hm? I don't need you visiting again in that same miserable state, undoing all my hard work." She smacked him on the back, jarring Natsu from the doorframe he was leaning against. His grandmother shoved the bag of products in his hands, offering a subtle wave before slamming the door in his face.
Natsu tightened his lips into a firm line and turned around, knowing that if he said anything now, she would hear him and probably throw some glassware at him from one of the windows.
He unfurled his wings and took off, already used to her firm goodbyes; she didn't especially like having guests over.
The whipping wind around him didn't do much to hide the sound of the nonexistent phone notifications. It was practically ghost quiet, save for the light chirping of birds nearby.
He tried not to overthink her reaction and wondered if it were better to just give her her space instead. If Lucy wanted him to leave, he would, no questions asked. He would have to prepare his heart to see her hurt face, the thought making his stomach swim with uneasiness.
Natsu didn't notice that he was already nearing Lucy's window, having gotten lost in thought while trying his best to keep his mind elsewhere.
The light in her bedroom was off, the curtains undrawn, and her scent suspiciously faint. She wasn't home yet?
Natsu perched on her ledge, pushing open the double-window doors, peering into her cold apartment that certainly lacked her presence.
"Luce?" He called out, hopping over her bed and onto the floor. Natsu set down his bag, and left her room, his nose twitching. The last person to come in was…Aquarius? And that hadn't been for at least a few hours.
He jumped, yelping as her home phone suddenly went off in the living room, Natsu's chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.
"Hello?" He cleared his throat, hoping the crack in his voice hadn't been too audible.
"Natsu? What are you doing answering Lucy's phone?" Aquarius asked from the other side of the line.
"Uh, I just got here, I came to check on her but it doesn't look like she's been home." He said. "But aren't you with her? She said you were visiting this weekend."
"I had to leave early to deal with something at work," She groaned. "I told her to call me after her appointment. She should've left by four at the latest, but I still haven't heard anything. She's not answering her cell phone, and I've called the apartment at least twenty times. Has she talked to you?"
"No…" Natsu felt his throat tighten at her worried sigh. "I sent her a text a half hour ago, she still hasn't opened it."
"I called the hospital and they said she left right after her appointment. They couldn't disclose anything over the phone, so I have no idea what she might've heard there. If she's not answering…if it's bad news…"
"I'll find her, don't worry. I'll let you know when she's home safe."
~000~
Natsu flew around in circles, his phone pressed to his ear for the millionth time that led him aimlessly in a circle around the city.
At least three hours had passed at this point, maybe four, still no answer. Her phone kept ringing all the way through, her voicemail packed with his messages asking where she was.
"Please, Luce," His voice shook as his eyes scanned over the city for the, how many times had he looked down that alleyway? That park? "Fuck, Luce, where the hell did you go?"
He tried to follow her scent from the hospital, but it was too faint to take him very far. Natsu found himself in front of the station a few blocks away, his nose trying its best to figure out which train she might've taken.
If she went home, he would have found her. If she went to Hargeon, Aquarius wouldn't still be checking in for updates. If she were anyone else, she would go somewhere no one could find her. Lucy wouldn't do this, Lucy wouldn't run and hide and worry all of her friends.
So if she were anywhere that kept her from contacting him, Natsu couldn't help but think the worst. He had to contain himself, worried that if he let himself, he would explode into a rampage and destroy half the town.
He just wanted her home safe.
Natsu sat on the edge of a skyscraper in the middle of downtown, his head in his hands, stress beginning to unwind his sanity. He couldn't smell her, she wasn't picking up her phone…what could he do at this point?
He stared at his call log, about ninety-six outgoing calls.
He should call the others, but he didn't want more people to worry. If he couldn't find her, he didn't want anyone else worrying about where she might be. They could all scold her in the morning…or later that day seeing as it was almost 12:30 a.m.
"Lucy," He shut his eyes, holding them together tight, taking in a deep breath. "Come on, Luce. You gotta know I'm out here worried about you…so please…please…call me so I can come find you."
In.
Out.
In…
Out…
In
.
.
.
Out
.
.
.
"Come on… I'm here… I'm right here…I won't be mad, I don't think I could ever really get mad at you, Luce. I just…I just really need to know that you're safe."
In.
Out.
In…
Out…
In
.
.
.
Out
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.
He almost dropped his phone as it began to vibrate, Natsu's eyes quickly opening to look down at his lit-up screen.
"Lucy?! Oh my god, Lucy, are you—"
"Natsu," Her voice quavered, he could tell she had been crying. Her teeth clicked together like she was shivering, his heart swimming with guilt.
"What's wrong?" He stood to his feet, looking around as his heart pounded, wishing he could hear her voice in some certain direction.
She took her time to answer back, her sniffles responding before her words. He didn't mind, didn't care, as long as she was okay.
"My dad was too weak," She started, her voice frail and shaken. "And my mom knew it. She knew it but she didn't…I think they both died because they were too weak."
Natsu paused, his wings furling slightly in the wind.
"Aquarius used to talk about how my mom was always kind of sickly, but she had always been…all her life, she said. But they met when they were both in college, so she wouldn't have known unless mom told her."
"Know what, Luce?" He asked, feeling antsy as he came to a stand still.
"If mom knew that he wasn't a good match…if she knew…" Her voice cracked, a choked sob interrupting her sentence. "She knew and she still…! They both…! Just to have me…!"
"I don't know what you mean, Luce." His words shook, tears welling in his eyes the more she cried. "What's wrong, please tell me."
"If mom was weak and being with her made dad weak, how were two weak people supposed to have a baby? I've… it's all I've been thinking about, all night, it's all I can think about…"
"Lu—"
"If they wanted to have me, then mom would've needed to be strong enough, and if she wanted to be strong enough for us both," Natsu cursed at his own tears that began to fall, Lucy bawling through every other word. "She could have, Natsu, she could have stayed if she just relied on someone else!"
"But I can't even be mad at her now that I know what we are!"
"How can I…!"
"Both my mom and dad…gave up their lives to have me!"
"All because my mom loved my dad…and they knew that they were leaving me with someone who they trusted enough to raise me!"
"I need you to tell me where you are right now, Lucy." Natsu seethed through his teeth, rubbing away the tears that blurred his vision.
"I took the wrong train—and didn't notice," Her tone was wet, hiccups and sniffles tainting his ears. "I got stuck in Oshibana, the last train left…an hour ago."
~000~
Lucy shivered, feeling the cold bite at the tip of her nose, stinging her wet cheeks. Gray's magic used to act up when they were younger, so she was used to the tinge of frostbite before Natsu melted the snowflakes sticking to their skin.
Aquarius' jacket helped, but she just had to wear shorts that night. Lucy didn't notice how cold she was getting before her call with Natsu. Getting all of that off her chest reminded her body that it was not in its best state.
Painfully trilling through those thoughts for hours left her more exhausted than she thought she would be. Lucy was tired enough to fall asleep in the nearly forty-degree weather.
She noticed his missed calls some time after she stepped off the train platform, having put her phone on silent when she thought she was getting on the right train. She didn't feel like talking, probably wouldn't even when Natsu was sure to fly into her room.
Her head hung, eyes fixated on the tips of her shoes, Lucy staring for so long that she didn't realize her train had gone in the opposite direction. But Lucy didn't care much, letting herself get lost in the scenery as she recalled what the doctor had told her.
When she finally saw that he called, was calling, and kept calling…
She sat on that bench, clutching a half-pack of tissues that an old lady had handed to her just before she got off the train. She stared at her phone, watching it light up and go dim, sometimes lighting right back up after his call or a few minutes after.
She wanted to answer, to tell him where she was, but what would she say?
Every time the phone lit up, she lifted her thumb to answer, thinking of what she wanted to tell him first. And when she heard his voice, everything tumbled out before she realized what she was saying.
Her hands shook a bit, when was the last time she ate? The tips of her fingers were numb, her eyelashes sticking together with a little frost.
There was a trashcan next to the bench she sat on, Lucy tossing in her most recently used ball of snot.
She couldn't blame her mother or her father, they were both in love, so in love that they gave everything they had to give her life. Her mother could have lived, but at what cost? It couldn't be easy knowing how she had to survive, how hard it might be to give herself away to live. Even harder since her mother found love with her father.
The doctor's optimistic speech about Natsu being a perfect match for her, Lucy felt guilty in finding relief. He was okay, she was okay, they would both be okay if they decided to stay together. She would never have to force herself to be with someone else, to hurt the one she loved.
How was that fair? Is what she kept asking herself every time she circled around this story she couldn't let go of.
Her bottom lip began to quiver again, her vision blurred by a new flow of tears, another balled tissue in her hand wiping them away.
"Thank god," Lucy gasped, surprised as Natsu suddenly wrapped his arms around her. "You have no idea how happy I am that you're okay."
"N-Natsu…" Her breath hitched in her throat, his warmth already beginning to thaw her.
"I'm right here," He said, tightening his hold on her. "I'm right here, Luce."
Her chest began to rise, starting slow and inclining with speed. With both of his hands moving gently up and down her back, she felt her exhaustion and sorrow overwhelm her all at once.
There was no one else around to hear her cry, Lucy letting out the full extent of her pain. She returned his hug, burying her face into his chest.
"They wanted you to live," He whispered, pulling them apart for a moment to hold her gaze. "The thought of a world without you makes my stomach turn and you have no idea how thankful I am that your parents wanted you to live."
~000~
Lucy sighed, wrapped tightly in a couple of blankets on the edge of her bed, a cup of hot water soothing her sore throat and rehydrating her. Natsu was in the other room, relaying some details to Aquarius. She would have to call tomorrow and apologize for disappearing.
After flying back home, Natsu took his time warming her up slowly, starting with Lucy's fingers and toes. He heated his hands to help stir her blood flow, making sure not to move too quickly. If her temperature rose too fast, she would get a cold, which he absolutely wanted to avoid. The rest of her wasn't too bad, but she wasn't allowed to leave her blanket or lay down until her water was gone.
"She said she'll come back to see you next weekend, but expects your call when you're ready tomorrow,"
"Understandable," She offered him a short laugh, handing him her empty mug. "Was she mad?"
"'Course not," He shook his head, standing in front of her with his hand pressed against her forehead. "You're home, you're safe, what's there to be mad at?"
"But I—" Natsu squished her cheeks together, shaking his head with a firm glare.
"Don't even think about saying it. You had every right, Luce. We're not taking that away from you."
"O-Okay!" She laughed as he began to pinch her cheeks, unfurling her hands to swat him away. "I won't, promise."
"Good," Natsu grinned, turning back around to close her bedroom door. Lucy undid the rest of the blanket burrito and edged herself against the wall, smiling when he crawled in beside her. She laid herself familiarly upon his chest, Natsu's arms around her, his warmth always incredibly soothing.
"You feeling better?" He asked, Lucy nodding as she snuggled into him.
"Mhm,"
"...Are we going to talk about it then?" He stared at the stream of moonlight crossing her room, Lucy pulling the blanket closer to them.
"I thought you didn't want me talking about it," She hummed playfully, Natsu rolling his eyes.
"You know what I mean," He felt bumps raise on her arm as he stroked her gently with his fingers. "Do you remember anything? I figured you might once you found out."
"I know that something happened a few days ago, but I couldn't remember what it was. That was the first time I noticed time passing when it didn't feel like a nap."
"I talk to you when it happens," Natsu sighed, feeling his nerves settle. "You're like a different person. Monday was the first time I didn't see her, so I thought she finally figured it out and you out."
"Is that what you guys talked about? How to help me?"
"Among other things…but what else was I gonna do? You were split in two and I was the only one who knew. 'Course I was gonna try and figure out somethin'."
"I guess you guys get along well," Lucy scoffed, her lips curving when Natsu threaded her fingers with his.
"Not at first, I thought she was a little weird." He laughed as she let out a dramatic gasp. "She had to remind me that she was still you, and I would do anything for you."
"Have we…" Lucy blushed and cleared her throat, glad that the lights weren't on. They were dancing around the real question at hand, not really saying the words that mattered here. "Um, have we had…you know…"
"We haven't," Natsu squeezed her hand, the hammering of his heart vibrating underneath her. "I wouldn't, wouldn't even if she asked. I was already crossing enough boundaries without you. I didn't want to take that choice from you."
She smiled, her stomach fluttering with butterflies. "Thank you,"
"Anything for you." He answered back, his thumb rubbing circles against her palm.
They held a comfortable silence as Lucy felt her eyelids begin to droop, weariness sinking into her shoulders.
"Natsu?" Lucy yawned and closed her eyes.
"Hm?" He asked, turning them onto their side, the blonde nestled comfortably into him.
"I love you,"
"I love you too,"
"But…real love."
"Is there any other kind?"
"Just making sure you know which one I mean! I'm in love with you, Natsu."
"I think I was in love with you first."
"Really? It's not a competition."
"I think it is, you can't tell me it isn't."
"You—! You're a dork, you know that?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm a dork."
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.
.
"Natsu?"
"Hm?"
"I want you to know that I'm okay."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah… I'm okay. And I'm not upset about… I'm sure it wasn't easy having to deal with me."
"I'm glad…I never wanted to hurt you, I'm happy I was there at the beginning to take care of you."
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.
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"Natsu?"
"Hm?"
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.
.
"Natsu?"
"Yes, Luce?"
"Sorry… I'm falling asleep."
"That's okay, sleep. You've had a long day,"
"But I…I want to tell you…something…"
"You can in the morning,"
"Mm…mkay…"
"No, really…I want to tell you something,"
"Then? I'm listening."
"In the morning…I want to remember…"
"Remember?"
"I want you to…to…kiss me…"
"W-What?"
"Kiss me…"
"Luce?"
"Lucy?"
"Don't fall asleep sayin' somethin' like that!"
I didn't think this would be so long oop but I'm happy with what I wrote! I hope the emotion came off well enough! I cried while writing the end LOL but I never know if that's how the rest of you feel
the angst of a NatsuxJuviaxGray...Periwinkle Tears was like really goooood if you need something to reaaad